MASSH (Mercy After School Study Hub) operates in the Catherine McAuley Library each Monday to Thursday afternoon from 3.20pm – 5.30pm during Term time.

The library is open until 4.00pm on Fridays.

Students from all Year Groups are welcome and encouraged to attend. This time provides students with an opportunity to complete unfinished classwork, homework, assessment tasks, organise their tasks or to read a book. Students are encouraged to work independently or in small groups as required.

All students are required to sign into the library by 3.45pm and sign out in order to comply with the OLMC evacuation and lockdown procedures.

Academic Supervisors

The College also offers the services of Academic Supervisors (new for 2022). This roster of OLMC staff, along with Mrs. Rugg, will facilitate small group sessions across a number of subject areas, assisting students as required.

There is no charge for this service.

Term 1 Roster

Do I need to book?

Yes! Preference is given to those students who have booked; however, students may be able to join a group on the day (numbers permitting). If interested, students can see Mrs. Rugg (Library) after school Monday – Thursday (3.30 -5.30pm) or alternatively parents/students can email:  cheryl.rugg@olmc.nsw.edu.au with the following details:

• Student’s name and Year Group.
• Subject/area they want to work on with an Academic Supervisor
• Which afternoon/s you prefer
• The number of sessions you would like to book. e.g. 4 weeks/ all Term 1

Once this request has been confirmed an email will be sent with the date/ time of the sessions.

FAQs

Do I need to book into MASSH?

• Students do not need to book to come to MASSH if they are working independently - on arrival they must sign in by 3.45pm.
• Students must have all resources required for study as they cannot leave MASSH once they have signed in (unless going home).
• Students are to sign out when they leave MASSH to exit the College grounds.
• Students must be leave and/or be collected from Gate 2.

Do I need to stay for the whole 2 hours?

• Students are not required to stay until 5.30pm unless they have a booked session that concludes at 5.30pm.
• Students may leave at any time; however, students are to remain in the library until they are being collected or travelling home.
• Students cannot wait in the playground area or outside the gate as these areas are not actively supervised by staff.
• Students need to be under direct staff supervision for their safety and wellbeing and in order to comply with the College Evacuation policy.
• Students cannot leave the school grounds (e.g., to buy food) and then return to the College grounds.

What if after school arrangements change and I cannot contact my daughter?

·Please call the MASSH/ Library’s direct line ph.: 8838 1233.Ring at any time from 3.30pm – 5.45pm.

What if my daughter needs to eat?

• Students should pack extra food that they can eat prior to signing in to MASSH.
• No food can be consumed in the Library during MASSH.
• Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds and return to MASSH.

Can my daughter use her mobile phone?

• MASSH adheres to the OLMC Personal Electronic Device Policy.
• Mobile phones can be set to vibrate/silent and be in their pocket to receive messages/calls regarding pick up.
• Students are not to use phones to take photos or engage in any form of social media.

Can my daughter listen to music/use air pods/ earphones?

• Students may listen to music but must follow the OLMC Personal Electronic Device Policy. 

School Student Travel in 2022

Students who need a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible.

CLICK HERE to read the full notice from Transport for NSW.

School Vaccination Program

Each year NSW Health works in partnership with schools to offer the vaccines recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for adolescents as part of the school vaccination program.

CLICK HERE to read the NSW SCHOOL VACCINATION PROGRAM – SCHOOL NEWSLETTER TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS

Ann-Marie Herd
Director of Student Wellbeing 

Central Australia Immersion

A reminder to all families that the Pre-Departure Meeting 1 takes place on Wednesday 2 March at 6pm in the Edith Angel Hall. Please enter the College through Gate 3.

Gabrielle Scanlon
Director of Identity

In Week 3 the Co-Curricular Dance Open Ensembles launched for 2022. Open to all students, the Open Dance Ensembles meet in the Dance Studio (B111) at 7:30am before school and they are run in a variety of dance styles including:

Each Ensemble is led by an industry-professional dance tutor who works with students to develop their fitness, improve their dance technique and create a routine that will be presented in a dance showcase later this year.

Participation in the Cocurricular Dance Program involves a fee of $85 per Term for each ensemble. This covers tutor expenses. These fees will be charged to the student’s account at the end of each term.

Students can register for an Open Ensemble by collecting a note in the Student Centre. Accounts will be adjusted for late registrations.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms Ieroianni. 

A GREAT START

Public Speaking at OLMC continues to grow and in 2022, a record 156 students have put their names down for competition, a number that places Our Lady of Mercy College at the forefront of all schools participating in this valuable cocurricular activity. A major reason for this response must surely be the 73 Year 7 students who registered for competition. For this, we need to thank some outstanding girls who presented a Public Speaking workshop during the Year 7 Transition Program. DAPS Leaders Sakshi Chouta and Stephanie Ogle were joined by Year 8 students Marziyah Patanwala and Celina Wassef in teaching our new students both the skills and the enjoyment of public speaking. The professionalism and expertise of these girls was something to be marvelled at and their enthusiasm played a major role in inspiring our latest Mercy Girls. Sakshi, Steph, Marziyah and Celina deserve every accolade for their contribution.

MORE SUCCESS

Many of our girls have achieved remarkable levels of success in Public Speaking and over the recent holidays, the pattern continued. Captivate the Future was a new competition which asked students from Years 7 to 12 to speak with passion about ways to improve our world. Despite her young years, Annoushka Maikap of Year 8 swept aside older opponents and was declared NSW State Champion for her speech on “Fast Fashion”. The judges used words such as “spectacular” and “amazing” to describe Annoushka’s effort.  To see why, students can go to Information Gateway/Student Speak where there are also many other excellent short speeches by our students on a wide range of topics. Not surprisingly, there are several other contributions by Annoushka which explains how she has honed her skills to an exceptional level. Well done, Annoushka!

It is only early in the year, but already one of our students has met with outstanding success. Selected last year to be our representative in the Lions Youth of the Year competition, Katherine Baker of Year 11 has proven to be the perfect choice to represent the College. Lions Youth of the Year is an exceptionally demanding event, with several judging categories including an interview, community involvement, sporting and academic achievement and of course, public speaking. Only two awards are announced: Overall Winner and Public Speaking Champion. Katherine put in a huge amount of work into her highly sophisticated speech as well as practising impromptu speeches and to say her performances in both events were exceptional is an understatement. It was no surprise when Katherine was declared Public Speaking Champion. Congratulations are well deserved!

CSDA

This Friday sees the first heat of the CSDA Public Speaking competition. As usual, our girls compete at every level and are all preparing keenly for the event which will be held through Zoom. Our entrants are Krisha Kavlani and Miriam Chacty (Year 7), Lara Alam and Jemima Scothern (Year 8), Avria Bergado and Kripa Joshi (Year 9), Summer Rayne Roughley and Deeya Vashi (Year 10) while Kaira Dasgupta (Year 9), Ruwindri Parndigamage (Year 10), Jheyanne Mostoles and Roshni Singh (both Year 11) who are competing at the Senior level. Special thanks to Kaira and Ruwindri who are competing above their year level.

STUDENT SPEAK

All students are reminded that a wide range of student speeches can be found on Information Gateway/Student Speak to see some excellent student speeches and even consider recording their own. You don’t have to be a public speaker to do this: anyone can contribute. All instructions are on that site. Thank you to Mr Matthew Esterman for helping to make Student Speak more accessible to all.

DEBATING

A number of students are asking about debating. This occurs in Term 2 and auditions will happen towards the end of Term 1. All students will be emailed to let them know what is happening so they do not need to worry about missing out.

Christopher Ostrowski
Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator

The OLMC Uniform Shop is located in a historic cottage opposite the main College block on the corner of Ross and Trott Streets. The address is 4-6 Ross Street, Parramatta.

 The Uniform Shop is open (term time only):

• Monday 8.00am - 9.30am & 3.00pm - 4.30pm
• Tuesday 8.00am - 9.30am
• Wednesday 8.00am - 9.30am & 3.00pm - 4.30pm
• Thursday 8.00am - 9.30am

Online purchases can be made via the Online Uniform Shop or by emailing uniformshop@olmc.nsw.edu.au

Phone: 02 8838 1275

CLICK HERE for more information about Open Day.

The College Canteen is operated by Total Canteen Solutions.

CLICK HERE to view the College Canteen Menu.

Students and parents can place an order through Flexischools via this link Flexischools or by downloading the App.

OPEN DAY - Sunday, 6 March

On Open Day, the P&F supports the College with its contribution to the P&F BBQ. We are calling for helpers who can assist with set up, cooking, service and pack up on the day. This is a great way to meet other parents and represent the College parent community. If you are able to assist, even for an hour, please CLICK HERE.

What is your leadership Portfolio? Callaghan House Leader.          

What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio? Organising House and Homeroom activities, running Chapel Assemblies and House Councillor meetings and assisting girls to get involved within College life.

What is your vision as Leader of this Portfolio in 2022? To encourage girls to get involved within the school community, even if it's out of their comfort zone.                

What would be a good theme song for your life? Why? An Abba song because their songs are so catchy and I love them.                        

What would be your superpower? Why? To be able to control time. I would go back in time to meet people who I find influential.          

What are your interests outside of school? Reading books and playing different sports.

1962 Swimming Carnival